Tuesday, 19 January 2021

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Alec Stratford: Nova Scotia’s income assistance changes lack empathy

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Alec Startford: “The recent changes to the Income Assistance Program are embedded in a traditional worldview that poverty is largely the result of an individual deficit, that people need to work harder to join the workforce, and for those who can’t work, we feel sympathy for their suffering and we want to relieve the pain. The grounding principle in this worldview is that the free market is the best and most efficient way to alleviate poverty. Where it can’t the social welfare system will provide remedial services to relieve suffering.”

Danny Cavanagh: Privatizing Highway 104 maintenance – A battle is brewing

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Danny Cavanagh: “Snow and ice control and maintenance will be contracted out to a private company. This raises questions and concerns about the long-term cost of a new P3 highway for taxpayers. It’s essentially déjà vu, and it’s more than likely that we will be providing a hefty profit to corporate elite bank coffers and in the end will get inferior service.”

Natal Day, the holiday that isn’t

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Judy Haiven on Natal Day, unfortunately by no means a holiday for most of Nova Scotia’s workers. Our province is stingy when it comes to designating statutory holidays.

Community Services trounced once again in Nova Scotia Court of Appeal

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The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has ruled that Community Services cannot refuse to pay a welfare recipient for suitable housing just because the rent exceeds the shelter allowance. We talk to Dalhousie Legal Aid lawyer lawyer Claire McNeil, who argued the case, and community legal aid worker Fiona Traynor, about the scope of this milestone decision.

Danny Cavanagh: Enforcing the Westray Bill

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Danny Cavanagh, president of the NS Federation of Labour, reflects on workers’ safety on the anniversary of the New Waterford mine disaster,101 years ago. “It’s time to ensure that laws like the Westray Bill are actually enforced, and to enact policies and legislation that are more than “feel-good” laws that remain nothing more than good talking points for politicians.”

Podcast: Prisoner justice – from speaking out to organizing on the ground

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EL Jones interviewed by Talking Radical’s Scott Neigh, on prisons, the Black Power Hour, how to organize, and the responsibilities that brings. “You cant’ back off when it’s hard and and say this is too hard, I am really tired now. You have to be in it for the long haul. You have to commit. You can always walk away and they can’t. You have to be there. They’re in such a vulnerable situation, and you have this power when you’re on the outside. You really have to make these strong commitments and follow through on them.”